Two-tier Local Government Operation - Beginnings and Difficulties

After 2 weeks of operating the two-tier local government model, many communes in the province have recorded initial positive results. However, there are still many difficulties, requiring synchronous and drastic solutions in the coming time.

Initial results are encouraging

Van Son commune was established on the basis of merging the entire natural area and population of the three communes of Quyet Chien, Van Son and Ngo Luong. In the first days of operation, the two-level local government received high consensus from the people. When going to complete birth registration procedures for her child at the Public Administration Service Center (TTPVHCC) of Van Son commune, Ms. Bui Thi Yen, Bo Tram hamlet shared: "Coming here, although I have never done procedures on the electronic system before, I was enthusiastically guided by the center's staff, and the procedures were done quickly and conveniently, so I feel very secure."

Comrade Dinh Cong Khoa, Deputy Director of Van Son Commune Public Service Center, said: Citizens who come to transact have a good sense of cooperation, no disputes or complaints have been recorded. The electronic document management system of Phu Tho province has been deployed synchronously, contributing to the effective processing of incoming and outgoing documents. During the period from July 1 to 14, Van Son commune received 47 files, including 12 direct files and 35 online files. All files were processed, no files were overdue.

Staff of Van Son Commune Public Administration Service Center handle administrative procedures for people.

Implementing the direction of the Provincial People's Committee Chairman, working groups have been established and assigned to inspect and remove difficulties and obstacles after the two-level local government came into operation. In particular, Working Group No. 7 recorded the operational results of 15 communes including: Pa Co, Bao La, Mai Ha, Mai Chau, Tan Mai, Tan Lac, Muong Bi, Muong Hoa, Toan Thang, Van Son, Muong Dong, Nat Son, Hop Kim, Dung Tien, Kim Boi. From July 1 to 13, the 15 communes' Centers for Cultural Affairs received 2,132 dossiers, processed 2,002 dossiers, and no overdue dossiers. Working Group No. 7 also inspected 23 other communes with a total of 2,696 dossiers received, processed 2,626 dossiers...

In the initial implementation phase, the People's Committees of communes promptly led and directed the implementation of tasks of the two-level local government model, perfected the organization, apparatus and arranged staff, ensuring that it would be put into operation on time as prescribed. Communes issued working regulations, decided to assign tasks to the chairman, vice chairmen and members of the People's Committee; established the Center for Public Administration, appointed leaders and civil servants in charge of receiving and handling administrative procedures (AP). Announced working locations and hotlines to serve people and businesses. Disseminate documents related to AP, instruct citizens to submit applications directly and online. In general, the Commune Center for Public Administration has operated relatively smoothly, ensuring security, order and office culture.

Focus on solving difficulties from difficult areas to favorable areas

Like other communes in the province, despite achieving positive results, Van Son commune faces many common challenges of localities in the transition period. In terms of human resources and facilities, some civil servants do not have digital signatures or digital signature information needs to be updated. New staff at the center are still confused when using the one-stop software. Facilities are still limited, there is no standard record storage facility, old computers, low configuration, lack of scanners.

Regarding information systems and professional software, searching for population data and making online payments still faces difficulties. Many specialized professional software and applications are not yet connected, synchronized, and often have errors.

Regarding finance, communes have not registered accounts for payment of fees and charges at the State Treasury, leading to the inability to make online payments. The determination of the commune-level budget estimate unit is still confusing, affecting the work of preparing and allocating the estimate.

Regarding people's participation and geographical factors, some people, especially ethnic minorities, are not familiar with submitting documents at the center, requiring civil servants to provide detailed instructions, which takes a lot of time...

As the central area of the region, Hoa Binh ward also recorded some difficulties in the early days of the two-level local government coming into operation. Comrade Hoang Chau Khoi, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee and Director of the Ward's Center for Public Administration, said: Currently, the internal procedures for handling administrative procedures and decisions to announce administrative procedures under the authority of the ward are not complete, causing difficulties in receiving, circulating and processing records between administrative procedures and specialized agencies from July 1. It is recommended that competent authorities pay attention to directing the completion and standardization of the set of administrative procedures and internal processing procedures; direct the development of a plan to organize training on controlling administrative procedures and the task of building digital government for leaders and experts of the Center for Public Administration, etc.

To overcome the shortcomings and difficulties, ensuring the effective operation of the two-level local government, the working groups have requested the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee to direct relevant departments, branches and sectors to deploy specific solutions. In particular, the Department of Home Affairs should promptly provide guidance on the organization and staffing of commune-level public service units and specialized associations; increase or mobilize more specialized civil servants (information technology, land administration); have preferential support policies for civil servants working in communes with special difficulties. The Department of Agriculture and Environment should promptly supplement the missing administrative procedures under the jurisdiction of the Branch of the Land Registration Office or arrange staff on duty at the commune-level Public Service Center to receive documents. The Department of Science and Technology should promptly change information and register new digital signatures for staff; organize training on the procedure for processing documents on the electronic one-stop system. The Department of Justice should provide guidance on the authorization mechanism of the Chairman of the Commune People's Committee in receiving, processing and signing certified copies. The Department of Finance shall promptly issue specific instructions on organizing budget estimates; promptly allocate funds for construction, renovation, investment in facilities and equipment serving the public service delivery centers of communes and wards...

The operation of two-level local government is an important step in administrative reform, aiming to better serve people and businesses. Although there are many challenges, the close direction and timely support of the province, relevant departments and branches will be the key factor for communes and wards to overcome the initial stage, gradually perfect and promote the effectiveness of this new model.

Huong Lan

Source: https://baophutho.vn/van-hanh-chinh-quyen-dia-phuong-hai-cap-khoi-dau-va-nhung-kho-khan-236331.htm